Saturday, December 29, 2007

If you're hungry, chances are you'll find what you're hankering for right here. From gourmet dining to comfort food, the greater Williamsburg offers a variety of great places to eat. Readers of The Virginia Gazette recently cast their ballots in nearly 90 categories for what they considered "The Best of Williamsburg." The categories are top-heavy in eateries and other food-related businesses. Here's a look at the various food service categories and their respective winners.For the second consecutive year, the Old Chickahominy House on Jamestown Road, won for best homemade soup. The restaurant has established a long tradition of delicious fare popular with locals and visitors. The newly opened Panera Bread came in second with Victoria's finishing third in the category. Chick-Fil-A dominated the fast food category with a first and third place finish. The location at Monticello Marketplace won the top spot. The recently opened store on Mooretown Road placed third. Sandwiched between is Sonic, the popular drive-in restaurant on Rochambeau Drive next to Wal-Mart. In the category of best Chinese restaurant, Peking Restaurant, located in the Kingsgate Green shopping center, finished first in the voting. Peking has won this category for each of the 15 years it's been on the ballot. Tops China took second and Mr. Liu's finished in third.Second Street Catering and Restaurant finished first in the the category of caterer. Florimonte's Deli came in as runner-up. Last year's winner of the category, By George Catering, finished rounded out the category. Ukrop's supermarket at the Monticello Marketplace took the category of the best place for sushi. Hayashi finished second and Soya came in third. New York Deli on Richmond Rd. earned the distinction of the best deli restaurant. Paul's Deli near the campus of William & Mary finished second with Florimonte's Deli finishing third. Berret's Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill in Merchants Square won for the best crab cakes in town. It's the eighth time Berret's has won the crab cake category. Backfin restaurant came in second with Fireside Chophouse taking third.Berret's also took the best seafood restaurant category. They were followed by Backfin on Strawberry Plains Road and the Whaling Company on Route 60 near Busch Gardens.Readers thought the best new restaurant was Food For Thought on Richmond Road. Panera Bread in New Town finished second in the category and Carraba's Italian next to Yankee Candle finished third. The best brunch winner is the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder for the second straight year. Runner up was Second Street and Williamsburg Inn came in third place. Second Street took the category of best business lunch with Red Lobster on Richmond Road, second and Polo Club in Colony Square Shopping Center finishing third. Sal's by Victor in the Williamsburg Shopping Center was voted as the place with the best pizza. Pizza Hut came in second and Papa John's finished third. Sal's by Victor also won for best Italian restaurant, followed by Olive Garden and Giuseppe's at Ewell Station. Best barbecue again went to Pierce's on Rochambeau Drive. Finishing second was Hog Wild Smokehouse in Toano and third was Red, Hot & Blue on Richmond Road. For more than a decade, readers have picked La Tolteca as best Mexican restaurant. Casa Maya finished in second place and Tequila Rose rounded out the category.Outback Steakhouse on Richmond Road earned the best steak house, up from a second place finish last year. Aberdeen Barn, which topped the category in 2005, came in second this year. Fireside Chophouse finished third.After eating all that yummy food, it's time for dessert. The Trellis restaurant in Merchants Square won the category followed by the Carrot Tree. The Fat Canary and Berret's tied for third place.And speaking of sweet treats, Bruster's Ice Cream in the Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center won for best ice cream for the fourth straight year. Cold Stone Creamery finished second and Ben & Jerry's rounded out the category in third. Wythe Candy finished in first place for the best candy store with The Candy Factory finishing second. The Chocolate Factory and Candy Store finished in third place. Whitley's Peanuts won the top spot in the best Peanuts category. Peanut Shop of Williamsburg came in second and Virginia Peanuts rounded out the category.The Wine Seller won best wine store. Cities Grille Wine Shop came in second and the Cheese Shop took third in this category.If you are looking for a place to socialize after all that good food you may consider one of the picks for best bar/lounges. J.M Randall's won the category with Corner Pocket in second and Whitehall Restaurant in third.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

December 2007 MIDDLESEX, Virginia - A proposal for a 379-home subdivision will head back to Middlesex planning commissioners after the county supervisors expressed concerns Tuesday night about whether the developer's incentives are legally binding.Developer Gene Ruark has tried for two years to gain approval to build the homes on 630 acres in the Hartfield area of Middlesex. His request to reclassify 326 acres to allow homes to be built was considered Tuesday night by the Middlesex Board of Supervisors, but withdrawn after questions arose over incentives and other issues.Supervisors want two entrances to Ruark's subdivision and also want to ensure the proffers, essentially incentives offered to the county by Ruark, are legally binding, said Middlesex Planning Director George Hayfield.

Ruark withdrew his request and the application will be taken up again by the Middlesex County Planning Commission, most likely in February, Hayfield said."It's hard to see where he could possibly put a second entrance," Hayfield said.Ruark said the entrance and exit to his subdivision will have two lanes each, which is more than sufficient."Deltaville only has one lane going in and one lane out," Ruark said. "For 10,000 people. Or 8,000 people, whatever it is."Ruark said he is offering $1,000 per lot to be paid to each of the local fire department and rescue units. In addition, he would pay the county $3,000 per lot. Altogether, the proffers could mean nearly $2 million for the county.The homes would sit on lots about three-quarters of an acre in size. The price range is from about $300,000 to $380,000, Ruark said.The subdivision would have a clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pool, two playgrounds and two community docks on two lakes on the property.The subdivision would provide an estimated $1.9 million in annual property tax revenues to the county, Ruark said. He also said the subdivision would have a minimal effect on schools."I market to retirees," Ruark said. "They don't have children."Ruark said he will work with the county's legal counsel to ensure the proffers are legally binding.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

This home located in the Skimino Landing Estates neighborhood of York County Williamsburg, VA is listed for sale at $619,000 by our company.

It offers over 4300 square feet and features a 2.30 acre lot. Looking for privacy, convenience and 2+ acres in Williamsburg? You found it in this great country living neighborhood. 4 great sized bedrooms plus a first floor office with full bath could be 5th bedroom. Huge bonus room,1st and 2nd floor laundry rooms,granite counters in the remodeled kitchen. Formal living and dining rooms.

If you are looking for a home in Williamsburg with a large yard you may want to consider Skimino Landing Estates. It along with The Retreat , Wexford Holls and Banbury Cross are the most popular neighborhoods with 2+ acres yards in the Williamsburg and York County area.There are currently 5 homes for sale in the neighborhood ranging in price from $579,000 to $699,000.

The topography throughout most of the neighborhood is very rolling. A neighborhood boat launch is available for homeowners exclusively that will put your boat onto the York River.One of the borders of the neighborhood is Camp Perry. If you know anything about the CIA Camp Perry's nickname is " The Farm" You will find all styles of homes in Skimino Landing from Georgian Colonials to Transitionals, Cape Cods and everything in between. All of the homes were custom built starting around 2000. There are no two homes a like . Most homes are at least 3300 square feet, some are over 5000 square feet.

The neighborhood is very convenient to Interstate 64. You can get to it from exit 234 or 238. Within a few miles are Wal Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ukrops Grocery Store, Banks, Restaurants, The New Sentara Williamsburg Hospital and many other conveniences. Colonial Williamsburg is very close as well. Children who live here would attend Waller Mill Elementary, Queens Lake Middle and Bruton High School all which are part of the highly rated York County School System.

A typical street winding through the Skimino Landing Estatecommunity of Williamsburg Virginia.